Chapter 1401

He looked at Tony, urgently wanting to find a comprehensible reference within this great threat, the Iron Tomb.

"Captain, there is indeed a similarity, but it's far worse than you imagine." Tony's face grew grim like a piece of pig iron. "If the 'Annihilation' equation can paralyze all civilizations within a nebula for dozens of system cycles, then Earth's fall likely also comes in an instant."

All satellites will deorbit and crash, all nuclear plants will lose control and melt down, all planes will fall from the sky like stones, all communications will be cut off, all financial data will be wiped clean—finally the whole world will meet physical destruction in endless nuclear strikes.

——

"We don't know how much Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output Thus we output keludela has concealed from us; in the worst case… the enemy we face may be more than one."

"Star and Xilian entered the bathhouse, only to see a Ladon person chatting with a companion about the previous alliance meeting."

"What alliance meeting… just a beastly circle of golden‑blooded monsters baring fangs and brandishing claws!"

"The so‑called 'Burning Crown' who claims to stop war? Clearly a tyrant whose virtue does not match his position!"

"Hearing that, Winter Lord Seneca stepped out from the side, speaking coldly: 'You're absolutely right! While Caesar's hounds are still hunting others, let's have a bit of fun talking.'"

'"You… I know you, you're that tyrant's lackey! What, you came to shut my mouth for that little dwarf?"'

"Seneca merely smiled, unbothered: 'Heh, you're nervous? Don't be, I don't care how others judge Caesar, and she won't either.' After saying that, she glanced aside and saw Xilian and Star walking toward her."

'"Oh? Child of the Oracle… heh, rare guests. Are you also here to relax in the bath? The water temperature is just right—please enjoy it fully. To prepare for the next battle, rest and replenish your energy."'

'"What 'Child of the Oracle'… heh, just another excuse for Caesar's warmongering!' the Ladon beside them continued to chatter on."

"Seneca glanced sideways, a flicker of coldness in her eyes: 'Speaking without restraint. You should be glad you don't have the right to sit at the alliance council.'"

'"Ah, right—if any of you still want to bathe, hurry up… once that predatory fish joins the current, it will sweep away all the fools who doubt the 'Outer Realm'… after that, you won't be able to enjoy the perfectly warm water."'

"Xilian muttered softly: 'Winter Lord… there's more to his words. But would Caesar really send assassins against those who doubt the 'Outer Realm'? That's completely opposite to the Aohema we know.'"

——

Attack on Titan.

"That predatory fish'? Could it possibly be… Hesyinyin?"

"In other words, Hesyinyin serves not only as Caesar's subordinate commander but also as an assassin tasked with silently eliminating any discordant voices for him."

Allen stared at the blazing fire before him, realizing he understood the queen less and less.

She granted citizens rights, called on people to take up arms against the nobility and fight for freedom. This led Allen to initially think she was a rebel leader from the lower classes, and he felt fond of her. Later, she drowned those nobles one by one in the lake, seized military power, and he again thought Caesar was the 'dictator' Armin had once mentioned to him.

Now she is secretly dealing with those who question the 'Outer Realm', and Allen again feels her rule is overly 'high‑handed'.

'"Armin, what kind of person do you think Caesar is? Or rather… what kind of 'king'?" Allen shook his head to himself, "I feel she… is very complicated."'

'"Complicated is right, Allen. If a ruler could be seen through just by our superficial few encounters, that would merely show our arrogance."'

Armin chuckled, poked the few logs at the bottom of the fire with his stick, and the flames flared with a 'whoosh'. 'As for what kind of person she is… in my view, she is someone with intense desires—whether for power, hatred, or conquest—her cravings blaze like the crown on her head.'

'"However, after passing the trial to become a demigod, Aglaea merely monitored the elders with golden threads, whereas Caesar directly went in and killed them… Looking at the thousand‑year history of the Fire Pursuit Journey, perhaps only someone as ruthless as her could suppress the Senate."'

——

"Then Xilian went to see Lord Yanshi and Lord Yinfen, who were discussing with the Truth‑Speaking Lion the recent rumors in the city about Caesar."

"As for that, Lord Yanshi Apollonius had nothing to explain or argue, saying lightly: 'Although the impact of rumors can be lessened, Lord Caesar's swift and decisive actions, seizing military power through near‑threats, are an indisputable fact.'"

'"Two heroes, I know Caesar's manner seems arbitrary to outsiders. But soon you will witness on the battlefield how Lord Caesar's blade makes enemies dance… I won't speculate on where her loyalty comes from, but when that sharp blade is drawn, perceptive as you two are… you will surely see the depth beneath her façade."'

'"Caesar's blade… must be referring to Miss Hesyinyin." Xilian lowered his head in thought, "Lord Yanshi's words seem tinged with unease. It appears Caesar's relationship with Miss Hesyinyin is far closer than with anyone else."'

'"Hmm… to truly delve into Caesar's secrets, one must first get past Miss Hesyinyin."'

Xilian noticed that attendants were still watching them nearby, so he suggested going to the 'private bath' where Star had been in her previous life—though in this life it's unclear whether anyone uses it.

The two arrived outside the bathhouse door, but suddenly Xilian frowned slightly, as if he had caught a familiar scent.

'"Huh? What is this smell…?"'

Star said nothing, directly pushing the gate open with a 'rattle‑clatter'.

'"…Wait! Star, don't go in yet——"'

What Star saw was a girl's back, smooth as jade; sunlight streamed through the reed mat onto her back, giving skin like mutton fat a soft, downy golden sheen.

She sat beside the bath, half her body submerged in the water, her hair spread across the surface like waterweed. Hearing the sound, she turned her face slightly, her voice tinged with curiosity:

"... Who?"